Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea, Otago

One thousand metres of ascent and descent along a vehicle track to the summit of Grandview Mountain provides good views of nearby rugged country, and then extensive views over Lake Hawea and distant high peaks.

Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea

On entering New Zealand in March 2020 we were soon hit with increasingly severe restrictions due to the Covid 19 epidemic. Before the complete lock-down we snuck in a final hike to the summit of Grandview Mountain at the southern end of Lake Hawea, a new walk for us. The views from the top were indeed grand, although I most liked the views of rugged country we passed by along the way in the Grandview Creek Conservation Area.

Track Notes

Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
An obvious track the whole way.

The walk itself is mostly through Hawea Station on a vehicle track, and the whole thing can be mountain biked if you like that sort of thing (two riders passed us on the ascent). There was a lot of cow dung on the first part of the walk, which was unpleasant, but this thinned out and disappeared when we started to climb. 

There’s roughly 1000m of ascent and descent, so enough for a decent workout. It’s signposted and straightforward the whole way to the summit. More information on the DOC website

Grandview Mountain Track: The Scenery

Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
Near the start.
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
Bluffs looming overhead.
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
Gaining height.
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
The township of Hawea next to Lake Hawea. You can see Mt Aspiring in the distance.
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
Hawea Flats
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
A panorama from the summit.
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
Mt Aspiring poking its peak out.

 

Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
Grandview Mountain itself on the left. This was taken on a short diversion down one of the other tracks leading further into the back country.
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
Grandview Creek Conservation Area
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
I loved the aesthetic of the bluffs and creeks in the Grandview Creek Conservation Area.

 

Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
Very rugged country
Grandview Mountain Track, Lake Hawea
There were manuka trees in some areas.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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